W.W Durant planned and had Metcalf built as a display room to his friends. When Durant was entertaining guests, the men would meet in this room, while the women went their separate ways. In Metcalf, the men would sip brandy, smoke, and discuss what great outdoor adventurers they were.

    Durant was a very wealthy man. It has been said that while Metcalf was being built, Durant went away for a few days, and when he returned a beautiful fireplace had been constructed. When Durant looked at the fireplace, he noticed that one stone had a cut in it. Durant ordered the workers who built it, to tear it down and fix it. Because so many wealthy individuals from around the world would frequently attend Metcalf numerous times during their stay at Raquette Lake, Durant did not want any evidence of flaws. Durant looked forward to impressing these wealthy people that had heard so much about his camp. When it came to architecture, Durant was a perfectionist.

    The building itself was named in honor of Dr. Harlan "Gold" Metcalf. He was extremely important in the acquisition and development of the outdoor recreation center. He established Cortland's Department of Recreation in 1947 and served as the first chairman. In 1953, Metcalf was the instructor for outdoor recreation at Cortland College. It was also during this time that the Outdoor Recreation Association was formed. Overall, the purpose of the outdoor center was to bind students interested in recreation, and allow others to become interested in it whom were not already. A nationally recognized expert in outdoor education, Metcalf retired from the facility in 1960 after 22 years of service.

    As Dr. Harlan Metcalf expressed, "As educators we have a responsibility to future generations; therefore, we must bequeath to our children the exuberant joy of being able to breath fresh air, to drink clean waterÖto hear breezes in the top of the grooves of white pinesÖand to findÖ[individuals] living in harmony with the land and with each other."

    On September 11,1986, the Metcalf building was submitted into the State Register of Historical places. Also, on November 7, of that same year it was further submitted into the National Register of Historical Places.